Animating SmartArt

Animation refers to the movement and/or sound accompanying text or graphics in your slides. SmartArt graphics have built-in animation options that make them ideal for punctuating your content as you present. SmartArt graphics can be animated in three ways: As One Object, All At Once, or One by One. Other than these built in options, SmartArt graphics can be animated and customized the same as other objects.

SmartArt Animation Options

As One Object
The entire SmartArt graphic will be treated as one image. (e.g. If you chose this option with the Fly In effect, your entire graphic would fly onto the screen.)

All At Once
The SmartArt graphic will be animated based on its separate pieces, but each will perform its animation at the same time. (e.g. With the Fly In effect, each of the pieces would fly onto the screen at its own rate, but begin simultaneously. This effect often closely resembles the As One Object option.)

One by One
Each piece of the SmartArt graphic will be treated as a separate object, and will animate one at a time. (e.g. If you chose this option with the Fly In effect, each shape of the graphic would appear on screen on its own, eventually creating the whole graphic.)

Animating SmartArt

You can animate quickly by using the Custom Animations pane for more control over your SmartArt. Aside from the animation options built into SmartArt, they animate just like other objects on your slides. For more information on working with animations, refer to Using Animation.

Animating SmartArt: Custom Animations Pane Option

Select the SmartArt graphic

From the View menu, select Custom Animation OR
If the Formatting Palette is visible, select Custom Animation
The Custom Animation pane appears.

From the Add Effect pull-down menus, select the desired type of effect from the following options:
The item appears in the Animation order scroll box.